So much sadness

There are some stories that make even the hardest, most experienced journalist buckle under despair.

Last week was one of those weeks where you don’t have words to describe how you feel about the horrible loss of young lives.

First there was the five-month-old baby who died. The many articles state that he died of meningitis, an illness that could have been prevented if the parents were not abusing drugs and neglected the baby boy. It is shocking to say the least. It always breaks my heart when I hear of a baby’s death, regardless of the circumstances.

On Friday night four family’s lives changed forever when four teenagers died in a horrible accident cause by another person’s negligence.

Apparently the driver of the private minivan did not have a licence, nor was the vehicles licensed. Apart from that, eyewitnesses said there were alcohol bottles lying on the car’s floor. One eyewitness said when he went over to the van to check if the occupants were okay, the interior reeked of alcohol.

It was a sad week indeed. Not just for the community, but for the staff at the Record as well.

No words will ever take away the heartache and loss the families have to suffer. No parent should ever stand next to the grave of their child. No society or community should ever feel so much sadness.

You never get over a loved one’s death, you only learn how to live with the loss.

May their souls forever rest in peace.

Until next week, take care of one another.

Ciao